1 in 5 Young Japanese Choose In-Game Purchases Over Paying Rent

At the beginning of 2025, the Society Concerned about Gambling Addiction signaled an increase in the number of gambling addicts in Japan, calling online casinos a big part of the problem. 

In March, the same organization reported that one in three Japanese players who engage in gambling via offshore operators racked up debt within no more than a week.

A fresh survey by SMBC Consumer Finance, a Japanese banking subsidiary, is now shedding more light on the concerning gaming habits of young adults in the country.

Video Games Poke Holes in Everyday Budget

As reported by Automaton, the annual study, which focused on financial awareness among people in their twenties, paints a complex picture of how video games, with emphasis on those that feature in-game purchases, are affecting this generation’s finances.

Out of the 1,000 people surveyed, 18.8% admitted that their in-game spending had directly impacted their ability to pay for everyday essentials. 

Interestingly, this behavior appears to be more common among men, with 22.8% saying they have prioritized game purchases over necessities like rent or groceries, compared to 14.8% of women.

The draw of microtransactions remains strong, even as awareness of their downside grows. 

In 2022, popular gaming streamer Zack “Asmongold” expressed concern regarding the presence of microtransactions in video games, calling them a form of gambling and asking for their official labeling as such.

Regret Over Lost Money 

Close to 25% of respondents expressed regret over the money they’ve poured into video games, yet that hasn’t slowed the trend. 

In fact, the percentage of people spending money on games has increased by nearly 6% since last year. 

Sentiments like “I’m willing to pay to have an advantage in-game” and “I can’t enjoy the game if I don’t make in-game purchases” have both gained more traction among both male and female gamers.

Curiously, while the number of people making in-game purchases has risen, the average monthly spend has slightly dipped. 

Most twenty-somethings still avoid these transactions entirely, but the ones who do engage are leaning into the idea more than before.

Growing Trend

Globally, games that rely on in-app purchases continue to rake in billions, with mobile games and titles featuring gacha mechanics leading the charge. 

Gacha games, which are digital, video-style online games featuring in-game purchases similar to loot boxes, are particularly popular in Asia. 

According to SMBC’s survey, the percentage of Japanese players spending their money on gacha and other games featuring in-game purchases has gone up 5.8% last year, reaching 21.6% in 2025.

Moreover, in March 2025, combined spending on the App Store and Google Play reached a staggering $6.79 billion. 

Japan accounted for 14.3% of that total. Popular titles like PUBG Mobile, Candy Crush Saga, and Pokémon Go continue to dominate the charts. Still, for every hit name, lesser-known games quietly generate even more revenue, often without mainstream media noticing.

These trends show no signs of slowing down. Even as many players admit to spending reluctantly, the success of in-game purchases continues to rise. 

As long as demand remains high, especially in places like Japan, the gaming industry will continue to feed that appetite.